Liquid is designed to last the wash, whereas powder is designed to dissolve. So liquid doesn't rinse as easily (especially in a quick wash) and the washing machine gets clogged with soap scum causing smells.

NB I got all this from other threads on the Internet, so make of that what you will. But it's definitely been better since I started doing long washes.

Use a bio laundry product, it's the perfume in detergent not the bio bit that can irritate eczema. Don't overload machine and set at 40deg on a full not quick wash. Towels, sheets need a full wash preferably at 60deg. I like to add Dettol laundry additive or a splash of Zoflorain the conditioner secretion as like the fabric conditioner with Febreeze.Spread clothes out on the aired so they are not bunched up, if you can line dry them I think it helps.

You can clean your machine by running it empty on a very hot wash. Most supermarkets sell a washing machine cleaning product and I like to add that but you can use washing soda.

I use liquid only and no softener (eczema also) but only use quick wash for things that are barely worn - swim suits, clothes almost clean etc. For the rest I use a 1hr wash if normal or the full wash and water plus if muddy kit, school trip horrors etc. But I do towels on 90c and bedding on 60 for bed bugs Yes, I am probably ocd with laundry!!! Suggest a couple of 90c washes with no clothes and some powder to see if that helps Good luck!(Ps have given up on pre soaking and add vanish to the wash instead!)

The smell is coming from the machine. You are not using hot enough washes or powder which contains bleaching ingredients to stop the gunk that otherwise builds up in the machine.

You need to give the machine a maintenance wash - there are hundreds of threads about this on here. Stick some washing soda crystals in instead of the laundry liquid and put it on its hottest, longest wash.

If you've never done this before and have been washing as you describe for a considerable time you may find this dislodges the residues and you need to repeat this cycle in order to completely clear things.

To stop this from happening again first switch to powder as no liquid contains bleaching agents and they contribute to the build up.

Do a hot wash every week - this is perfect for towels - so a wash at 60 degrees as a minimum.

Stop using the short wash programmes so frequently. You need to use mainly full length programmes to stop the build up of smelly gunk.

Agree with the aboveSwitch to powder. The loose stuff that goes in the drawer, not the pressed tablets.Do one of the washes as a longer cycle, and maybe hotter ocasionally.Is there any way of drying outside? I'm assuming not, but outside, or next to an open window will also help if its dry.

Do you take the clothes out of the machine and hang them up as soon as the wash cycle is complete? Leaving them in the machine or in the wash basket whilst wet can lead to musty smells.Other than that I would add some detail,laundry cleanser to the next few washes just to make sure that any bacteria in the clothes is killed. I know some people are not fond of detail laundry cleanser but I find that it gets bacteria smells out of clothes that soap powder doesn't manage (especially sweat on gym clothes).

I've had this problem too. So now I use powder, a couple of drops of Zoflora in the rinse cycle, and a weekly hot wash of towels with soda crystals added to washing powder. I take the clothes out of the machine as soon as the cycle has finished, and leave the door and soap dispenser open to air and dry.When I think of it I take the soap tray out and clean up any gunk that's built up under it, clean the tray and the filter and button trap.

I do 20 loads per week HOW do you only have three?! Our bedding alone is more than three!

I use bio powder and the 'normal' length cycles, 40 deg for clothes, 60 for towels, bedding and teenage PE kit. I put a few drops of zoflora in the fabric conditioner section when washing towels and PE kit. I do an empty 90 deg cycle with soda crystals about every two months. Only every use the 30 min cycle to rinse something that's basically clean anyway. My in laws only every use the 30 min cycle and non bio liquid and all their clothes are a bit grubby....

haha well 1 colour wash which I now think should be split into 2 as I do have to cram it into the machine, 1 white, 1 towels, 1 bedding. so 5 altogether now. I was doing loads as I separated baby's clothes from ours but now I do them altogether

that's also why I want to stick with non bio as better for baby I am led to believe!